Tour Description

Explore the heart of Germany and the Netherlands on this once-in-a-lifetime river cruise along the Rhine! Surround yourself with the history of Berlin, Germany’s capital city, and Weimar, home of the famous “Thuringian Bratwurst,” before traveling to Frankfort. Board the ms Allegra and begin an spectacular river cruise along the Rhine, stopping in an exciting array of cities. Visit Ruedesheim, set amid scenic vineyards, and cruise the narrow Loreley passage to Bonn, the home of Beethoven. Experience all that Cologne offers, from grand cathedrals to breweries and German chocolate museums. Visit the “City of Fashion,” Düsseldorf, and Europe’s largest sea harbor, Rotterdam. Spend a day in Amsterdam and enjoy some time in Nijemgen, the site of the famous WWII battle and oldest Netherlands city. After cruising the Rhine, visit Heidelberg and spend some time in Munich, including a comprehensive city tour, as a perfect end to an unforgettable river cruise vacation.

Special note: each departure date for this vacation offers a slightly varied river cruise itinerary. Select the desired departure date in the drop-down menu to view the corresponding itinerary.

See Berlin, Germany’s once divided and vibrant city

Glide along the scenic Rhine Valley in a relaxing cruise all the way to Amsterdam. Guests traveling in April will enjoy the tulips in bloom!

Discover the historic highlights of former East Germany and its classic castles and churches.

Enjoy an optional evening at the world-famous original Munich Hofbrauhaus

Itinerary

Days 1-2

Depart US to Berlin, Germany

After an overnight flight arrive in Berlin, Germany’s capital and a vibrant city with many sights to discover. Guests who have booked their air with YMT vacations will be met by a local YMT representative at the airport and transferred to your hotel (Guests, who have made their own air arrangements, must make their own way to the hotel). In the evening meet your fellow travelers for an included Welcome Dinner at your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city on your own. (D)

Hotel: Hotel Leonardo Berlin (or similar accommodations)

Day 3

Berlin, local sightseeing

Your Tour Director will lead you on comprehensive city tour of this once parted city. You will get a feel for the varied history that Berlin has undergone in its past, see the Brandenburg gate, the German Reichstag with its beautiful glass structure (now the capitol building where the German parliament meets), Checkpoint Charlie, once the main border crossing for east/west exchanges, the “Ku Damm” and the remnants of the “Gedaechtniskirche” (Memorial Church) . The afternoon is left for you to discover the city on your own, perhaps take a trip up the “Fernsehturm” (TV Tower) towering over the famous Alexanderplatz, to enjoy the vista over the city, visit the Holocaust Memorial and Museum , the famous Berlin Zoo, the “Museumsinsel” (an island in the city that houses many different museums with world renowned artefacts, named an UNESCO World Heritage site) or enjoy the local culinary delight of a “Currywurst” from one of the street vendors .The choice is yours! (B)

Hotel: Hotel Leonardo Berlin (or similar accommodations)

Day 4

Travel to Dresden via Potsdam

You will leave Berlin behind and continue to close by Potsdam. We will have a brief city tour with a stop at Schloss Cecilienhof, once the site of the Potsdam Conference that decided on Germany’s fate after World War II. We will stop and visit the beautiful grounds of the Tudor style estate from the outside. Next will be the castle Sansoucci the beautiful Rococo castle build by Germany’s Emperor Frederik the Great and commonly called “Germany’s Versailles”. You will enjoy a guided tour of this beautiful castle and its grounds before continuing to Dresden. Upon arrival you will see all major sites of this beautiful city in an orientation city tour. The Zwinger and the Frauenkirche (Women’s church) are most impressive buildings, especially since the Frauenkirche has only recently been restored to its former glory after having been completely destroyed in the war. The restoration has been made possible by a massive effort from the German population, as the church has become a symbol of resilience and rebirth (B, D)

Hotel: Achatt Hotel Dresden (or similar accommodations)

Day 5

Travel via Weimar to Frankfurt and embark MS Allegra

We will continue south west on the famous German Autobahn with a first stop in Weimar, the classical city of poets and thinkers. A brief city tour will give you an overview of this Thuringian jewel where the famous poets Goethe and Schiller resided and wrote classical pieces. Weimar was not affected by air raids in the war and as such its architecture is completely preserved - the historic library and the Goethe residence are not to be missed! You will have opportunity for lunch on your own and you should sample the famous “Thuringian Bratwurst” from one of the many kiosks that sell them along the street. You will continue to Frankfurt and board the MS Allegra. The 4 star Twin Cruiser will be your luxurious floating hotel for the next 8 days as you explore one of the most beautiful areas of Europe, the Rhinevalley. (B, D)

Day 6

Cruise from Rüdesheim through the Loreley passage to Cologne

Explore the romantic town of Rüdesheim, surrounded by gently sloping vineyards and famous for its local wine, brandy and coffee (Careful -The local coffee and the brandy are married in the “Rüdesheimer Kaffee” concoction!) After you had time to enjoy your visit on your own or by joining one of the optional shore excursions, perhaps to see a local vineyard, your ship leaves the harbor at 1 pm, just in time to enjoy your fabulous lunch on board and savor the first class culinary delights Your cruise will glide on through the narrow “Loreley” passage famous for its rock wall towering over the river. Legend has it that the mermaid “Loreley” once sang from the rock to the ship folks, thus enchanting seafarers into their demise of drowning by not paying attention to the currents and submerged rocks in the river. No worries- your captain will navigate you safely through this stunning scenery! Your day will end in Cologne, just in time to venture out on a late night discovery tour on your own to the famous local pubs to enjoy a refreshing Kölsch beer. (B, L, D)

Day 7

Cologne local sightseeing - cruise to Düsseldorf

Discover the beautiful city of Cologne- where indeed cologne was invented- on your own or join one of the organized shore excursions (extra cost). The city has so much to offer: The grand cathedral in the center, where supposedly the remains of the 3 holy kings are kept, the home of 4711 Cologne, a German chocolate museum, a vibrant art scene and not to forget plenty of shopping. You will leave Cologne at 1 pm for a short trip to its smaller neighbor (and rivaling) city Düsseldorf, the “City of Fashion” in Germany: Stroll along the famous Königsallee for some window shopping or admire the architecturally stunning harbor quarter before visiting old town and tasting yet another local beer, the “Alt” - reason for decades of rivalry with the neighbor city Cologne on which is the better beer - taste for yourself! You will leave the port shortly before midnight and cross the border with the Netherlands overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 8

Cruise to Rotterdam and Amsterdam, Netherlands

After enjoying the sights and sounds of the smooth travels on the Rhine, you will arrive mid day in Rotterdam, Europe’s largest sea harbor and an impressive business metropolis. From here you may choose to visit the town of Gouda to learn more about the cheese that Holland became famous for, or you can join another group visiting The Hague and Delft, home of the classic blue and white porcelain tiles (both extra cost). You will depart for Amsterdam in the afternoon and dock around 10pm in the “Venice of the Netherlands”. Time for an evening stroll along the romantic canals or enjoy some of the famous nightlife that the city offers. There will be plenty of time to discover the sights, art and museums the next day as the ship will stay in port for a full day. (B, L ,D)

Day 9

Amsterdam, local sightseeing

Explore Amsterdam on your own or with one of the organized shore excursions. Either way, you will likely fall in love with the beautiful Dutch capital. There is so much to see that you will have the entire day to plan your discovery: The Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House, Old town - choose from plenty. For the horticulturists in our April group, we also offer a memorable optional visit to Keukenhof, the renowned Dutch flower park that will show you local tulips aplenty after a picturesque bus ride through the Dutch countryside. (B, L, D)

Day 10

Cruise to Nijmegen, continue down river

This morning you will anker in Nijmegen, site of the famous WW2 battle and the oldest city in the Netherlands. The city counts several old churches as old as 1300 AD to its highlight sights as well as a “Velo Museum” - a museum dedicated to the bicycle culture of the Netherlands and one of its kind. As part of the shore excursions you may choose to join a visit to e beekeeper farm and learn everything about the traditional honey production of the area. After an inspiring visit in this historic beautiful town, the MS Allegra will take you quietly back to Germany overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 11

Cruise to Bonn (local sightseeing) continue back to Frankfurt

Welcome to Bonn, the former capital of West Germany and home of Beethoven, the famous composer! This historic city is truly a hidden gem along the Rhine Valley and you will fall in love with its history and classic architecture during your morning visit. At lunchtime, board your ship for the remaining cruise back to Frankfurt and enjoy the Gala Dinner tonight as it is almost time to say good bye to the relaxing river cruise and on to new discoveries. (B,L,D)

Day 12

Frankfurt (disembark ship) continue via Heidelberg to Munich

Welcome back to Frankfurt! Your YMT Tour Director will welcome you at port where you transfer on to a comfortable European motor coach to head south to Munich. Our route takes us to Heidelberg first. The picturesque city with its baroque style historic buildings, surrounded by vineyards and famed by its historic castle will surely enchant you. Your Tour Director will take you on a walking city tour before you can enjoy lunch on your own. After our stop here your tour continues to Munich and the day ends with an included dinner at your hotel. (B, D)

Hotel: Hotel Residenz München (or similar accommodations)

Day 13

Munich - local sightseeing

Your Tour Director will take you on a comprehensive half day city tour of Bavaria’s capital this morning. Munich is certainly known for its hardy German cuisine, its beer specialties and the original Oktoberfest, but it has also a vibrant art scene and beautifully preserved architecture that you will be able to see. Your tour will take you along to see the famous Marienplatz with its Frauenkirche, the Olympic Park and through Schwabing, which is Munich’s Artists Quarter and home to many celebrity sightings. Tonight you will have the option to join your fellow travelers for a traditional Bavarian Dinner as a farewell to new found friends. (B)

Hotel: Hotel Residenz München (or similar accommodations)

Day 14

Depart Home

It’s time to say good bye and to travel back home with plenty of memories from your European Rivercruise and tour. If you have booked your air through YMT, you will be transferred to Munich Airport in order to catch your return flight to the US. Should you have chosen to book air on your own, you will have to arrange your own return transfer from the hotel. (B)

Note:

Some of the sightseeing and visits included in this tour require up to 2 hours of walking and some periods of standing. Steps, stairs and uneven grounds will also be encountered on occasion. This does not pose a challenge to most guests, but should be considered when booking this tour.

Departures

Pricing Information

April 10, 2012

From $1,899.00 per person double occupancy.

From $1,700.00 single room supplement.

July 14, 2012

From $2,099.00 per person double occupancy.

From $2,000.00 single room supplement.

Journey Includes

7-night River Cruise on the River Rhine in booked cabin category. All meals on board the ship are included.

6 nights of hotel accommodations on land portion based on twin/double accommodations in moderate hotels including daily breakfast and three dinners.

Sightseeing: Special events as listed. A full program of optional shore excursions will be available at extra cost.

Baggage Handling: To and from your hotel room throughout your land tour for one piece of checked baggage per person.

Service: A professionally trained tour director who is knowledgeable on the local area and will provide you with a wealth of information. Their friendly service will make your trip a memorable experience.

All prices are in US dollars and do not include international airfare, unless otherwise noted.

Prices displayed are based on the lowest season base price and assume double occupancy. Prices are shown in U.S. dollars and may or may not include administrative fees, taxes, meals, airfare (where applicable) and Single Supplements. Cancellation penalties, blackout dates and other restrictions may apply.